44 Jordan Leopold
2007-2008 Twelfth Season
Reebok Edge. Set 3 (Edge 2.0). Neck tagging 56.
NHL-MGG No. E08498 
The wear on this jersey is reasonably light, probably due to the fact Leopold was in and out of the lineup with injuries. The jersey does show two significant repairs on the back, however, with a three-sided sqaure repair on the rear hem and a half-inch repair near the rear numbers. Both repairs have been photo-matched. The left sleeve also shows a horizontal burn mark that starts between the sleeve numbers and extends into one of the digits. This mark has also been photo-matched.
The MeiGray tag is sewn in the rear hem, and the jersey is accompanied by the MGG LOA. This season's serial numbers begin with a "E" to designate MeiGray's fifth year as the marketing agency for Colorado's game jerseys.
[ click on individual thumbnails to see larger images ]
Neck tag
NHL tag
Set patch
Wash tag
Back marks
Sleeve numbers
Back repair
Back hem repair
Jordan Leopold was born August 3, 1980 in Golden Valley, Minnesota. The 1st choice, 44th overall selection of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Leopold is a graduate of the WCHA's University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Prior to joining the Golden Gophers in 1998-99, Leopold had spent the previous year with the U.S. Under-18 Team and the previous two years as a member of Armstrong High, High School.
In his four seasons at Minnesota, Leopold was the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including WCHA All-Rookie Team (1999), WCHA Second All-Star Team (2000), WCHA First All-Star Team (2001-2002), NCAA West First All-Star Team (2001) and was the Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner in 2002 while leading the Golden Gophers to the 2002 NCAA Championship.
Leopold would never get an opportunity to showcase his talents as a member of the Mighty Ducks after the team dealt him to the Calgary Flames in the summer of 2000. Leopold made his professional debut with the Flames in 2002-03, suiting up for 58 games scoring 14 points (4-10-14) in 54 games while seeing action in a handful of games with the team's AHL affiliate in Saint John.
After getting a taste of the NHL in 2002-03, Leopold entered his sophomore year with higher expectations, and became one of the key players on the Flames roster in 2003-04, finishing the regular season with 33 points (9-24-33) while taking his game to another level in the post season. In the Flames first trip to the post season since the 1995-96 season, Leopold chipped in another ten points and was instrumental in leading the Flames to the Stanley Cup final. Although they fell short in their attempt to capture their second Stanley Cup in franchise history, Leopold emerged as one of the top young defensemen in the league.
Despite his contribution with the Flames, the organization sent him to Colorado in exchange for Alex Tanguay.
On the international stage, the former Golden Gopher is a two-time member of the United States World Junior Championship team (1999-2000), a four-time member of its World Championship team (2002, 2003, 2005 and 2008), and despite not playing in any games was named to its World Cup team (2004). In 2006 Leopold represented his nation in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
On March 4, 2009, the NHL trade deadline, the savvy defenseman was sent back where it all began when the Flames reacquired him in exchange for a package of players and a draft pick.
On June 27, 2009, Leopold was dealt to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the negotiation rights of Jay Bouwmeester. Leopold signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on July 2, 2009.
On March 1, 2010, in the days leading up to the NHL trade deadline, Leopold was traded again. This time sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a second round draft pick.
On July 1, 2010, the much travelled defenseman found himself an unrestricted free agent and inked a three-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres.
In his first year in Buffalo, Leopold would provide the club with a veteran, puck-mover on the back end. He would record 13 goals and 22 assists for a career-best 35 points. He would follow that up with 24 points in 2011-12.
In the final year of his contract with the Sabres, during the lockout shortened 2012-13 season, Leopold was traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a pair of draft picks.
Defense
Born: August 3, 1980 - August Valley, MN
6-0, 205 lbs.
Selected by Anaheim Mighty Ducks round 2 #44 overall 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Traded to Calgary by Anaheim for Andrei Nazarov and Calgary's 2nd round choice (later traded to Phoenix, later traded back to Calgary - Calgary selected Andrei Taratukhin) in 2001 Entry Draft, September 26, 2000. Traded to Colorado by Calgary with Calgary's 2nd round choice (Codey Burki) in 2006 Entry Draft and Calgary's 2nd round choice (Trevor Cann) in 2007 Entry Draft for Alex Tanguay, June 24, 2006. Missed majority of 2006-07 due to off-season hernia surgery, groin injury and wrist injury vs. Calgary, February 15, 2007. Traded to Calgary by Colorado for Ryan Wilson, Lawrence Nycholat and Montreal's 2nd round choice (previously acquired, Colorado selected Stefan Elliott) in 2009 Entry Draft, March 4, 2009. Traded to Florida by Calgary with Phoenix's 3rd round choice (previously acquired, Florida selected Josh Birkholz) in 2009 Entry Draft for Jay Bouwmeester, June 27, 2009. Traded to Pittsburgh by Florida for Pittsburgh's 2nd round choice (Connor Brickley) in 2010 Entry Draft, March 1, 2010. Signed as a free agent by Buffalo, July 1, 2010.
- WCHA All-Rookie Team (1999)
- WCHA Second All-Star Team (2000)
- WCHA First All-Star Team (2001, 2002)
- NCAA West First All-American Team (2001)
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award (Top U.S. Collegiate Player) (2002)